Gary Lucas on Captain Beefheart

Gary Lucas on Captain Beefheart - Magic Band guitar virtuoso Gary Lucas discusses working with music visionary Captain Beefheart (Don Van Vliet), filmed at the Swiss Cottage Hotel, London, Sept. 2005

[@Blazingrythm]

Thanks Gary, I enjoyed that! On Best Batch Yet Don asked me to play like a cat trying to get out of a card board box. (Cardboard was a popular theme with him as he wound down his musical career before abandoning his Capt. Beefheart monker) He told me to make a snarl like a cat with it's back up during that section of the song. Search Best Batch Yet to spot it.

[@bazonics]

I read a great anecdote in a book a few years back; Apparently the Capt gave Robert Williams a tape of him and jan washing the dishes and told him to create a drum piece of it. Scratching his head, off he went and did his best. He played it to the capt and he liked it, but J.M.Tepper (in a brown nosing moment I think) said "but don, I can't hear the water" "YEH", growled don, "WHERE'S THE WATER"!! ha ha, gota love it.

[@garylucas5558]

The director's idea...not mine. He put everybody everybody interviewed in this dvd in surrreal surroundings. Gary

[@andrewl4740]

It's an honor to hear stories like these. Thanks. You're amazing.

[@garylucas5558]

That's great, Robert! Thanks for sharing (Ladies and Gentlemen, we have the great Robt. Williams in the house)... Gary

[@vollsticks]

Great interview Mr. Lucas! "Flavour Bud Living"....amazing. Thank you! The "Fast N' Bulbous" album is great, too.

[@jpendur]

thank you so much for posting this!

[@nri1969]

Thanks for this, Mr. Lucas. A very enlightening glimpse. I've also read -I think it was in the liner notes to "The Dust Blows Forward"- that the rhythm of "Bat Chain Puller" was derived from the sound of windshield wipers. I guess Mr. Williams could confirm or dispel that story.

[@git1958]

If you can hear it in your head ..you can play it.... Only if you've got these guys imagination,brains and talent though.

[@Wildrover82]

fucking excellent guitarist.

[@pmf598]

Cool . . . . i'm guessing the Swiss Cottage hotel has got a flashing neon sign that is intregal to an interview of this high standard . . . . .

[@strawwoodclaw]

Hello Gary Lucas are The Magic Band planning planning on touring the UK again ever??

[@garylucas5558]

yes, the composition in question appears on the final Beefheart album "Ice Cream for Crow"-- and yes, I will be playing the Bowery Poetry Club in Manhattan with Gods and Monsters on June 20th at 10pm xGary

[@philbrown0]

Here's the deal. Working with Don is like that. It seems random. Now, whether or not Don has it all planned out or not is open for discussion. Don says it is. Those of us who have worked with him think that Don is open to the happy accident but he does create the circumstances for that to happen. And we're reluctant to talk about Don too frankly. I'm not sure why but every body who's worked with him is. My bona fides? If you look at the last couple of albums you'll find my name. Phil Brown

[@1987jock]

Who were the kids who said hair pie bake 1 "sounds good". Does anyone know? Do they even know they're part of something iconic?

[@donald195]

Any plans to come back to the uk 2010? you'll get a great reception. Don g

[@sprechstimme]

Do you still have any of the original charts from the Beefheart sessions?

[@turntapzap]

Are you Gary Lucas?

[@Blazingrythm]

Gary! I don't have a way to contact you but I'd love to play music with you again. I think you're awesome and loud like me. Call me!!!!!!!!

[@davejones5745]

Cut-out Cardboard Sundown is epic Beefheart ; off of Ice cream for Crow. One of my favorites.

[@illustriouschin]

ouch, i got pwnd

[@illustriouschin]

a lot of it sounds like random notes to me but what do i know